May 12, 2023 | Friday

Know Your Como History: McClellan School: Part I

By Laura Oyen – 4-16-2023

Readers of the April 3, 1888 Saint Paul Globe might have noticed this tidbit in the paper that day. “The public schools reopened yesterday after the regular Easter vacation with a full attendance. The new McClellan school, Oxford and Stinson, schools being occupied for the first time.”

McClellan school took several years to transform from the “Comoville” school, temporarily located on Front Ave in a rented building, to the two story eight room building that stood for 87 years.

Como Garage Sale Next Week!

Thursday, May 18 through Sunday, May 21, Various times and Locations

You can view the Sale Map on our website, including details about days, hours, and what each sale has to offer! Start making your plans to go shopping right here in the neighborhood!

Thanks and good luck to everyone who registered their sale!

If you would like to be included in our map, please fill out the Como Community Sale Form as soon as possible! You can also download and print this flier PDF to post in your community spaces.

D10 Meeting Updates

Land Use Committee Meeting - Tuesday, May 16, 6pm

Hybrid on Zoom and at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)

The D10 Land Use Committee typically meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 6pm. All D10 meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.

Next week we will welcome Tony Arvidson of Lancer Hospitality (Dock and Paddle) and Michael jon Pease from the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy to give updates about the Como Pavilion 2023 programming and facility upgrades. Come share your hopes, dreams, and concerns about the Pavilion!

D10 Board Meeting - Tuesday, May 16, 7:15pm 

Hybrid on Zoom and at the Como Streetcar Station (1224 Lexington Pkwy)

The D10 Board meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:15pm. Meetings are open to the public and have space for community members to bring topics for discussion.

Next week the board will appoint Officers for 2023, consider and update to financial policies, and approvals of action items from May committee meetings.

Como Community Blood Drives

Thursday, May 25, 9am-3pm @ Como Zoo

D10 Como Park is partnering with the American Red Cross and the Como Zoo & Conservatory to host a community blood drive at the Zoo Thursday, May 25, 9am-3pm. Space is limited, reservations required.

The Red Cross just opened the online reservations for the Thursday, May 25 drive from 9am to 3pm.

Please consider giving blood, with so many still working from home, workplace blood drives have all but vanished, these community drives make a huge impact!

Get Involved: Lake Como Cleanup - May 23

THANK YOU to everyone who showed up to last weekends Como Park Cleanup event, we counted about 142 amazing volunteers, including 33 from the Twin Cities German Immersion School, that's huge!

We're planning our first 2023 LAKE Cleanup for Tuesday, May 23, 5-8pm. These events, in partnership with the Capitol Region Watershed District, focus on the shoreline and Lake Como itself.

District 10 provides trash-grabbers, rakes, buckets, nets, trash bags, and nitrile gloves for those who need them. Or, feel free to provide your own gear. Registration (before May 22) is not required, but it helps us plan and communicate if changes come up.

Chelsea Heights Spring Carnival

Friday, May 12, 5-8pm @ Chelsea Heights Elementary (1557 Huron)

Please join us for an evening of FUN! All community members are welcome!

We'll have four food trucks, an obstacle course, bouncy houses, and lots of carnival games. Some activities are free (obstacle course, playground, gaga pit). Most games with prizes cost one or two tickets.

As you might imagine, it takes a legion of volunteers to run the carnival. Please consider signing up for a shift: they are only 1.5 hours long and no prior experience necessary. Volunteers welcome from age 12 on up!

More Info on Facebook Event Page

Volunteer Sign-up

Spring Como Woodland Nature Tour, Early Birds & Bloomers

Tuesday, May 16, 5:30-6:30pm @ Kilmer Fireplace

Hurrah for May! Forest flowers will be coming up, oak trees will be leafing out, birds will be singing, and woodland creatures will be active, so there will be much to see and hear. Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom is hosting a tour.

They'll meet at the Kilmer Fireplace to start the tour. Joan McKearnan, professor of biology & environmental science, Anoka-Ramsey Community College; Britt Forsberg, University of Minnesota Extension educator; and Elizabeth Carls, Master Naturalist volunteer will be guides for this tour. 

Sign up for tour at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f48aba92da7f9c43-spring.

Como Block Nurse Sip & Dish for Seniors

Thursday, May 18, 2pm @ Como Park Lutheran Church Fireside Room (1376 Hoyt)

The Como Park/Falcon Heights Block Nurse Program invites seniors to a lively get-together with other seniors in the neighborhood. Refreshments will be provided. This event recurs the Third Thursday of every month.

Need a ride? Call 651-642-127 a week in advance, they'll help you out. The meeting space is accessible and there's plenty of parking.

Plant Sale Season

Ramsey County Master Gardeners are hosting their annual plant sale on May 20, from 9am to 2pm at Church of the Holy Childhood (1435 Midway Pkwy). 

The sale includes a large selection of native plants, vegetables, favorite and unique varieties of tomatoes, herbs, annual and perennial flowers, houseplants, quality garden gloves, and other great items to get your garden growing strong. Funds raised support Master Gardener community and youth education programs in Ramsey County. Cash, checks and credit cards accepted. 

For more information, visit www.RamseyMasterGardeners.org/plantsale.

4th Annual Plant Sale to Benefit the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center Food Shelf

Saturday, June 3, 2023 - 9am-3pm

1138 Churchill St, Saint Paul, MN 55103

Fill your garden with plants while raising money for the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center Food Shelf.

Veggies, annuals and perennial seedlings will be grown by host Alison Goetzman, and other local gardeners. Plants and seeds are pay-what-you-can, and no one will be turned away. All proceeds will be donated to the food shelf at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center with a goal to reach $1,000 in donations.

Follow the event on Facebook to find out what plants will be in stock. https://fb.me/e/1biZc5xmY.

Get Involved: Midway Parkway Gardens

All are Welcome! All days! All Locations!

Please join us this summer for planting, weeding and community building.

Location: Hamline and Midway Parkway

• Spring cleanup & planting: Wed., May 24 at 5pm
• Group weeds: 2nd Weds: June 14 & July 12 at 5pm
• Group weeds: 4th Weds: June 28 and July 26 at 7pm
• Questions: Contact Molly O’Rourke at mollyfo.rouke@outlook.com

Location: Arona and Midway Parkway

• Spring plant & weed: Sat, June 3 - 10am-Noon
• Group weeds: 2nd Weds: June 14 & July 12 at 7pm
• Group weeds: 4th Sats: June 24 & July 22 at 10am
• Questions: Contact Jennifer Victor-Larsen at jennifer@larsentag.com

2023 Summer Camp and Activity Registration Open

Como Parks & Rec Programming

North Dale Rec Center (1414 N. St. Albans)

• Taekwondo Jr June ages 6-8 - Mon & Wed in June- $60*
• Taekwondo June ages 9-21 - Mon & Wed in June - $60*
• ONLINE: Planting for Pollinators 18+ - May 13 10-11:30am - Free
• Senior Day ages 50+ - Thursdays thru May 25 - Free
• Senior Fitness ages 55+ - Tues & Thurs thru May 25 - Free
• Pickleball Tu/Th ages 18+ - Tues & Thurs thru May 30 - $3
• Senior Gamers ages 50+ - Tuesdays thru May 30 - Free
• Pickleball Fri ages 18+ - Fridays thru May 26 - $3
• School Year Rec Check 1st-5th Grade - Weekdays thru June 14 - Free*
• New Animals/Nature & Swim Camp ages 7-11 - June 19-23 - $225*
• New Baseball Camp ages 7-10 - June 20-23 - $20*
• New Baseball Camp ages 10-14 - June 20-23 - $20*
• New Pokemania STEAM Adventure ages 6-10 - June 26-29 - $133*
• New Fishing and Swimming Camp ages 7-11 - June 26-30 - $200*
• New Dance with Me Ballet Camp ages 2-5 - June 26-30 - $43*
• New Baby Ballet Camp ages 3-4 - 1pm or 1:30pm June 26-30 - $38*
• New Pre and Intro Ballet Camps - ages 5-7 and ages 8-11 - June 26-30 - $38* & $50*

Northwest Como Rec Center (1550 N. Hamline)

• Taekwondo June ages 9-21 - Tue & Thur in June - $60*
• Taekwondo Jr. June ages 6-8 - Tue & Thur in June - $60*
• Slime-Tastic Art ages 5-12 - June 21-22 - $85*
• Gardening with Bill & Robert ages 7-12 - Misc dates June-August - $20*
• Basketball Skills Camp ages 8-14 - Tue & Thur in July - $15*
• Swimming Field Trip ages 7-12 - Tue, July 11, 12:30-4:30pm - $10*
• Artist Workshop Camp Ages 6-10 - July 17-21, 10am-Noon - $80*
• Easy & Fun Snacks with Luke ages7-11 - Tuesdays starting July 18 - $10*
• Artist Workshop Camp ages 11-16 - Aug 14-18, 10am-Noon - $80*

*Registration Required

St. Paul Parks & Rec Fee Assistance Program

The City of Saint Paul operates a special program that helps families pay for Parks & Recreation youth classes and activities. Fee Assistance can be requested by families who meet program requirements when registering for youth activities. To be eligible for the program, youth must live in Saint Paul, be 18 years old or younger, and qualify for free and reduced lunches.

Fee Assistance can be used toward most recreational sports or activities offered by Saint Paul Parks and Recreation. To view the online catalog of all available activities offered, click here.

Neighborhood Notes

Upcoming Sound Variance

• An application for a sound level variance has been received by the City for the 41st Hmong International Freedom Festival aka Hmong J4th Soccer Tournament, to be held Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2 from 8 am- 8 pm with a soundcheck on Friday, June 20 from 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm. The event will be located at 1155 Jessamine Ave W (McMurray Field). There will be a public hearing on the variance at the May 24 City Council meeting. Further details concerning this event will be forthcoming.

Upcoming License Renewals*

• Como Zoo & Conservatory (1225 Eastabrook Dr.): Liquor licenses are up for renewal July 23. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen: ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
• D & L Food and Gas (626 Larpenteur Ave): Gas Station license is up for renewal July 28. Anyone with input should email the Como Community Council or contact the office of Ward 5 Council Member Amy Brendmoen: ward5@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

*While license renewal dates serve as community reminders, feedback on a business license can be submitted at any time.

Community Members Invited to Help Shape 2024 City Budget 

The City is hosting a series of community conversations to help shape the 2024 City Budget.

Led by the Office of Financial Services in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office, these community conversations held in different wards are free and open to the public. Community members interested in participating can register here. For the best experience participants are encouraged to bring a smart phone or other web-enabled device. 

The dates, times, and locations of these sessions include:  

• Tuesday, May 16, 6:30 p.m. at Rice Rec Center (1021 Marion St.) 
• Thursday, May 18, 6:30 p.m. at Merriam Park Library (1831 Marshall Ave.) 
• Tuesday, May 23, 6:30 p.m. at Highland Park Community Center (1978 Ford Pkwy.) 

Saint Paul Bicycle Plan Update

An updated Saint Paul Bicycle Plan draft now available for feedback. 

Over the past 18 months, city staff have been working with community members and stakeholders to update the Bicycle Plan. The Bicycle Plan guides investment and resources to make biking safer, easier, more convenient, and more connected.

Community members can review these documents or watch this video to learn more about the updates to the Bicycle Plan:

• Draft updated Bicycle Plan
• Draft Executive Summary of the Bicycle Plan
• Video Presentation on the updated Bicycle Plan

Share your feedback by posting comments on the interactive Bicycle Plan Network Map. You can also share more in-depth feedback through the survey.

The city is looking for feedback through the end of June and a representative from the project is tentatively scheduled to present to the D10 Land Use committee in June (3rd Wednesdays @ 6pm).

For more information, visit stpaul.gov/bikeplan.

Hamline Midway Library will close beginning May 28

Hamline Midway Library will close to the public beginning May 28, 2023 for decommissioning of the existing library building as the process of building a new library continues.

SPPL invites community members to check out books, DVDs, and more from Hamline Midway Library shelves and keep them for the duration of construction and return them once the new library opens.

A few things to note:

• You may check out and return materials to Hamline Midway through Saturday, May 27.  
• Starting May 15, Hamline Midway will no longer be an option to select when choosing a location to pick up your holds. 

Bookmobile

The SPPL Bookmobile will continue to make stops in the Hamline Midway neighborhood, including at Hamline Hi-Rise, Victoria/West Nevada, Lyngblomsten Apartments senior residence, and a new weekly stop at Hamline Hancock Recreation Center. Information on location hours and the Bookmobile schedule can be found on the SPPL website.

You can view the full SPPL press release here.

Ramsey County Environmental Resources

A to Z Recycling & Disposal Guide 

Use this guide to learn how to properly recycle or dispose of many items.

BizRecycling

BizRecycling helps businesses, non-profits, schools, apartment buildings and institutions in Ramsey and Washington counties reduce waste and recycle better.

Deconstruction Grants

Many building materials can be reused instead of being sent to a landfill. Residential properties can get up to $5,000 to support deconstruction projects. Learn more.

Gardening and landscaping  

Learn more about eco-friendly gardening and landscaping from a Ramsey County Master Gardener.

Parks and Recreation 

Explore what Ramsey County has to offer for parks, trails and recreational activities year round.

Radon

Radon is a naturally-occurring, radioactive gas. Two in five homes in Minnesota have high radon levels that can impact health. Ramsey County offers $2 radon tests to residents. Learn more.

Recycling containers for events 

Reserve free recycling and food scraps containers to help reduce waste at your next event. Containers are loaned to Ramsey County residents and organizations for any temporary event. Find a pickup location.

Soil and Water Conservation 

The Soil & Water Conservation Division maintains and enhances natural resources in Ramsey County. Learn what programs are taking place in your neighborhood.

Pothole Patrol

You can report potholes in the following way, depending on whether they are on a city street, county road, or state highway:

• City of Saint Paul: Email potholes@ci.stpaul.mn.us
• Or call 651-266-9700. 
• Ramsey County: Online or by calling 651-266-7100
• Minnesota Department of Transportation: Online

What's Happening at the Fairgrounds?